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Everything To Know About Energy Efficient Roofing

by Posted in Green Roofing, Roofing Materials

Do You Need an Energy-Efficient Roof In San Diego, CA? Find out here!

We have been seeing a rise in utility costs throughout the country, and it is becoming worrisome. Even carrying out the basic activities with electricity daily will cost you thousands of dollars every month and push your budget to the limit. In light of this reality, many San Diego homeowners have started seeking ways to improve energy efficiency (find roofer here), and it goes beyond just the home equipment and appliances. Did you know that you can use building materials with energy-efficiency to reduce your energy costs?

Yes, you can, and one of the best energy-efficient roofing materials for your San Diego home or  commercial building is an energy-efficient roof.

What Is A Energy Efficient Roof and How Is It Different From Other San Diego Roofs?

Let’s begin by understanding how an energy-efficient roof works. Some roofs in the San Diego area are designed from materials that allow them to absorb heat while some are not. Those with heat absorbing materials, such as asphalt shingles in dark colors, absorb more heat from the sun than the lighter versions of the same shingles. As a result, the home becomes warmer in summer due to the sun. When this happens, you have to spend more to keep your home cool, meaning more energy bills for your air conditioning.

The way to correct that is to install roofing shingles with great energy efficiency and won’t catch the heat from the sun and get it into the house. Instead, these energy-efficient roofing shingles will keep the heat away and maintain the coolness of the home.

Energy-efficient roofs are made from different materials, but the important thing is that the materials have lighter, colors that reflect and repel the rays from the sun from your house. As a result, you will use your AC system less frequently, and save energy bills.

Pros of Energy-Efficient Roofs

  1. Save Utility Bills

When you install an energy-efficient roof, the first advantage you enjoy is lower electricity bills, including the cooling bills in the summer. This is because you won’t have to run your AC too much to stay cool. Your roof will be dispelling every heat coming from the sun and preventing it from getting into your home.

With the installation of an energy-efficient roof, you will save between 7 and 15 percent of your energy bills, and you can channel the funds to something else.

  1. Cooler Summers

You can say goodbye to extreme summer heat if you install an energy-efficient roof. The reason you might be suffering the worst possible heat during the summer might be because your roof is absorbing the heat of the sun and sending it into your home, which would lead to a rise in temperature and subsequent discomfort.

But, once you install an energy-efficient roof, heat absorption will be a thing of the past and the temperature in your room will be cooler.

  1. Environmentally Friendliness

Energy-efficient roofs are also environmentally friendly in several ways. First, they have a long lifespan, meaning you don’t need to replace them as often, so there is less waste in landfills from roof replacement.

Also, when you are using your AC less, there is a reduced number of harmful greenhouse emissions and fewer cases of air pollution.

Most Common Energy Efficient Roofing Materials

  1. Asphalt Shingles

Some asphalt shingles have Energy Star ratings, and these are energy-efficient materials, not all asphalts. Asphalt shingles are quite affordable and have a great range of colors, making them aesthetically pleasing. They are fairly durable; however, they often need maintenance and replacements.

  1. Metal

Metal roofs are also energy efficient because they can reflect UV rays sufficiently well. They are made to have different colors and styles and can have tiles or panels. They are also quite durable. The downside is that they are prone to damage and can cost a lot of time and energy to replace.

  1. Slate

Although they are dark like asphalt, slate tile roofing can be energy efficient when it is sprayed with reflective coatings. Another positive side of slate is that it is quite durable. However, a disadvantage of this roofing material is that it weighs a lot, and will need extra structural support to avoid a building collapse when it is installed.

  1. Synthetic

There is also a synthetic option, which is the polyurethane tiles. The advantages to them is that they are very light, long-lasting, and environmentally-friendly. So, if you use synthetic materials, your house can retain warmth in the cold season and be cooler in summer, thanks to its energy efficiency.

  1. Tile

Tile roofing comes in several types, such as clay, concrete, or ceramic. They are all loved for their aesthetic values because they have different colors and styles. These colors also contribute to their energy efficiency.

Concrete tiles are popular in hotter climates because of their ability to ensure that homes are always cool. However, when opting for a tile roof, you need to ensure that there’s additional support, because of the weight of the tile. Otherwise, the weight might be too much for the house to carry.

Ready to get an Energy Efficient Roof? 

Now that you have seen the options for energy-efficient roofs in the San Diego area, it is up to you to choose the one that best suits your home, location, as well as your budget. You also need to ensure that you can meet the maintenance requirement of the selected roof to avoid issues and ensure that it continues to save you energy for a long time.

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Metal Roofs Vs Shingle Roofs

by Posted in Metal Roofing, Roofing Materials

Comparing Metal Roofs and Shingle Roofs: Which is Better?

Take a quick study of the roofs in San Diego and you’ll find out that nearly every roof you’ll see on residential buildings is made from shingles; whether wood shake or asphalt shingles. It is hard to find homes with metal roofs, and there are several potential reasons for this situation.

Why are shingles favored over metal roofs in San Diego?

1. Cost and Durability

Perhaps, the price might be the first factor because metal roofs are costlier compared to shingled roofs. To make up for their expensive nature, they bring durability into the mix because they can last for up to 70 years. On the other hand, shingled roofs last between 40 and 50 years, and they are cheaper than metal roofs.

In a bid to make housing more affordable in San Diego, you would find that builders use shingles as the standard roof throughout the region, despite sacrificing some level of durability to gain cost-effectiveness.

2. Weather and Climate

You can also associate the popularity of shingled roofs in San Diego with the mild climate in the region. Metal roofs are favored in regions with extreme temperatures, but since San Diego hardly deals with extreme weather, and has very few occurrences of snowfall, there’s almost no need to invest in metal roofs, except for the homeowner’s peace of mind.

Metal roofs are very energy efficient and have global renown for protection from bad environmental and weather conditions, including blizzards and hurricanes and their, and they are highly sought-after in regions where these conditions are common. Again, going back to San Diego, you can easily tell why shingles are popularly used and accepted. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they are affordable as well.

3. Homeowners Association 

Another strong reason for the uniformity of shingle roofs in San Diego is the presence of Homeowners Associations. Most of the houses in San Diego were built based on the subdivision method under which there is a homeowners’ board or association that ensures and oversees the values of homes within a given region. The association also ensures that uniformity is maintained across the division, and they go on to dictate the color and type of roof to be installed by the homeowner.

So, once early builders have used shingles in their houses, it is almost impossible for one house to opt for different roofing material. If you have already installed shingle roofs, it won’t be possible to switch to metal roofs for as long as you remain in a subdivision that dictates the type and color of the roof to use.

Now you see why you would hardly find metal roofs in the metropolitan area of San Diego. You can expect that even in years to come when roofs will be replaced, shingles will still be the preferred material for that replacement.

Before you think that it is a terrible situation, remember that shingles also have a good lifespan, and there is an additional reason to love shingle roofs. Let’s discover it now.

4. Solar Technology

These days, solar technology is becoming popular, and we now have solar panels attached to shingles, which is another reason they are taking over from metal roofs because more people want to go solar and shingle roofs help them to do just that.

The recent solar products blend seamlessly with shingle roofs because you can now find architectural shingles with in-built solar power technology. Also, installing a solar panel on top of a shingle roof is seamless and will not cause any damage. As a matter of fact, there will be less roof leakage.

You also have a higher chance of approval when you use a solar shingle over a solar panel in a district with Homeowners’ Associations.

On the other hand, when dealing with metal roofing systems, solar panels can be installed but there is a high risk of leaks, which can damage the metal.

If you’re not sure which roof better suits your budget and housing needs, reach out for a free roof estimate today! If you’re about to start a roof replacement, consult an expert to guide you so that you choose a roof that not only suits your needs but will also be easiest and more affordable to repair or adjust in the future.